Europe’s Central Bank to Hike Rates in July, 1st in 11 Years

The European Central Bank will raise interest rates next month for the first time in 11 years and add another hike in September, catching up with other central banks worldwide as they pivot from supporting the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic to squelching soaring inflation.  The surprise move Thursday marks a turning point after years …

UK, Moroccan Fighters Sentenced to Death in Ukraine’s Pro-Russian Donetsk

Three foreign men have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine who say the men fought for Ukrainian forces. The two British citizens and a Moroccan were found guilty by a court that is not internationally recognized in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic of fighting for Ukraine and of being mercenaries and …

Latest Developments in Ukraine: June 9

For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT. 4:00 a.m.: “We must use all our influence and leadership to protect freedom and ensure the defeat of tyranny.” — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a video address recorded for the …

Zelenskyy: Sievierodonetsk Battle One of War’s Most Difficult

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the battle for the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk is “one of the most difficult” of the war, while highlighting its importance in the key Donbas region. “In many ways, the fate of our Donbas is being decided there,” Zelenskyy said in a video address late Wednesday.   Ukrainian forces were …

Belgian King Regrets Colonial ‘Humiliation’ in Landmark Congo Trip

King Philippe of Belgium, in a historic visit to Congo, said on Wednesday that his country’s rule over the vast central African country had inflicted pain and humiliation through a mixture of “paternalism, discrimination and racism.”  In a speech outside Congo’s parliament, Philippe amplified remorse he first voiced two years ago over Belgium’s brutal colonial …

Monkeypox Outbreak Tops 1,000 Cases; WHO Warns of ‘Real’ Risk

The risk of monkeypox becoming established in nonendemic nations is real, the WHO warned Wednesday, with more than 1,000 cases confirmed in such countries.  World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the U.N. health agency was not recommending mass vaccination against the virus and added that no deaths had been reported from the outbreaks.  …

US Envoy: Ukraine War Has Brought ‘Sea Change’ in Views of Russia

VOA’s Eastern Europe bureau chief Myroslava Gongadze discusses the situation in Ukraine with Ambassador Michael Carpenter, U.S. permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The transcript has been edited for clarity: VOA: Thank you so much for this interview on this Russian invasion. The war has tested the international community, …

Belarus Hands RFE/RL Freelancer Kuznechyk 6-Year Prison Sentence, Relatives Say

The family of RFE/RL freelance correspondent Andrey Kuznechyk say the journalist has been sentenced to six years in prison in Belarus on a charge of creating an extremist group.  According to the relatives, the Mahilyou regional court in the country’s east took only a few hours to hear the case and hand down its verdict …

Turkey-Russia Talks Make Little Progress on Ukraine Grain Shipments

Millions of tons of grain remain trapped in Ukraine as Russia continues its aggression against the country and world wheat prices soar. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Ankara Wednesday with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu for talks focused on creating shipping corridors to allow Ukrainian grain exports to access world markets. But both …

China, Russia Called to Explain DPRK Veto at UN

China and Russia were called to explain to the international community on Wednesday why they vetoed a Security Council resolution calling for new sanctions on North Korea for its recent string of prohibited long-range and ballistic missile tests.    Wednesday was the first time the General Assembly implemented its April 25 resolution requiring any of …

High Profile Soccer Trial Delayed Due to Illness

A high-profile fraud trial of soccer’s once most powerful men was delayed Wednesday in Switzerland after one of the accused, Sepp Blatter, said he was too ill to testify. “The pain will come back, and I am having difficulty breathing,” said the 86-year-old in a whisper. Blatter, the former head of soccer’s world governing body, …

UK Prosecutors Authorize Indecent Assault Charges Against Harvey Weinstein

British prosecutors said on Wednesday they had authorized charges to be brought against former Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein on two counts of indecent assault against a woman 26 years ago. “Charges have been authorized against Harvey Weinstein, 70, following a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation,” Rosemary Ainslie, …

Latest Developments in Ukraine: June 8

For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT. 3:45 a.m.: In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says “whatever the occupiers plan for themselves, we must prepare for the next winter, in our state, on our land, for …

As Russia Claims Gains, Zelenskyy Says ‘Heroic Defense of the Donbas Continues’       

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the work of his troops in the eastern Donbas region and said Russia had not expected to meet much resistance, while Russia claimed to have assumed control of almost all of one of the provinces that makes up the Donbas. After weeks of focusing its attacks on eastern Ukraine, Russian …

No Justice Reform in Poland, No Money, EU Chief Vows

The European Union’s chief executive vowed Tuesday that Poland would get no money from the bloc’s vast pandemic relief fund until the right-wing government rolls back measures deemed to limit the independence of the country’s judiciary. Poland is line to receive nearly 36 billion euros ($38.5 billion) to help its economy recover from the impact …

Spanish Journalist Marks 100 Days in Prison on Spy Claim

 It was a moment Pablo González’s family had been longing for: a letter from the Spanish journalist imprisoned in Poland for 100 days on accusations of spying for Russia. “It was a thrill and a present for me and our three children,” González’s wife, Oihana Goiriena, told VOA. The four-page letter, which arrived last week, …

Figure Skating Minimum Age Rises to 17 Before 2026 Olympics

No 15-year-old figure skaters will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Olympics following the controversy surrounding Russian national champion Kamila Valieva at this year’s Beijing Games. A new age limit for figure skaters at senior international events was passed Tuesday by the International Skating Union in a 110-16 vote that will raise the minimum …

Erdogan Vows Military Operation Against US Kurdish Ally in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced a major military operation against U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria whom Ankara considers terrorists. Analysts say Turkey believes it’s in a strong position given that Washington needs Ankara to lift its threats to veto Sweden and Finland’s bids to join NATO. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul. …

Chad Opposition Leaders Get One-year Suspended Terms

Six opposition leaders arrested after violent anti-French protests in N’Djamena were on Monday handed one-year suspended sentences for disturbing public order, Chad’s public prosecutor told AFP.  They were also fined 10 million CFA francs, or about 15,000 euros, said prosecutor Moussa Wade Djibrine, who had sought two-year prison terms.  The swift trial opened Monday morning …